Recycled PET Bulk Bags (rPET FIBC)

A 100% recycled bulk bag that outperforms standard polypropylene, and a first of its kind for the North American market.
Sustainability shouldn’t cost you performance. The FlexSack-eco line gives sustainability-focused operations a recycled bulk bag that still meets the standards you expect from FlexSack. Choose recycled (rPET) for the largest carbon reduction and food-contact potential, or recycled polypropylene (rPP) for a familiar, proven material with recycled content built in.

rPET bulk bags are made from 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate, the same PET used in beverage bottles, given a second life as a high-performance FIBC. Recycled PET had never been introduced to the bulk bag industry in North America until now. FlexSack’s rPET bags don’t ask you to trade performance for sustainability.

In testing by our manufacturing partner, rPET outperformed conventional polypropylene on:

rPET bulk bags are made from 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate, the same PET used in beverage bottles, given a second life as a high-performance FIBC. Recycled PET had never been introduced to the bulk bag industry in North America until now. The rPET bags FlexSack supplies don’t ask you to trade performance for sustainability.

In testing by our manufacturing partner, rPET outperformed conventional polypropylene on:

Carbon Footprint
UV Resistance
Abrasion Resistance
Form Stability
Heat Tolerance
Print Quality

A 57% Lower Carbon Footprint

In a cradle-to-grave life-cycle assessment, the rPET bulk bag produced a 57% lower carbon footprint than a comparable virgin polypropylene FIBC (7.35 vs 17.01kg CO2e).

The assessment was conducted for our manufacturing partner and verified by TÜV, an independent international auditor. Starting from recycled material instead of virgin resin removes most of the emissions before the bag is ever woven.

What it means for your emissions reporting
Because the reduction is built into the material, it carries through to everyone who handles the bag. For companies tracking Scope 3 emissions or buying carbon credits to offset packaging, switching to a lower-carbon bag is a direct, documentable reduction. In many cases, part of the price difference versus a standard bag can be offset by lower carbon-related costs. The exact math depends on the carbon price your organization uses, so talk to us and we’ll help you frame the comparison.

Performance That Beats Standard PP

PET is fundamentally stronger material than polypropylene in ways that matter for bulk packaging. Here is what our manufacturing partner’s testing found.

Better UV Resistance

In an eight-month outdoor trial under direct sun, rPET bags held usable strength across the full test, while PP bags failed early. For products staged or stored outdoors, that means a longer, safer service life.

Higher Abrasion Resistance

In a 3,000-km transport trial, PP bags developed tears from rubbing in transit while the rPET bags showed no cuts. PET’s tougher surface protects product across multiple handling and transport modes.

Better Form Stability

PET stretches less than PP, so rPET bags bulge less and hold their shape when stacked. That supports safter stacking and better use of warehouse and container space.

More Bags Per Pallet

PET is denser than PP, allowing roughly 25% more bags per pallet at a similar pallet height. Fewer pallets can lower freight costs.

Higher Heat Tolerance

rPET performs across roughly -4°F to 284°F (-20°C to 140°C), versus a typical ceiling near 194°F (90°C) for PP. That enables hot-fill applications where product doesn’t have to cool as much before packing.

Higher Print Quality

PET’s smooth, glossy surface takes print sharply and gives finished bags a premium look, so your branding stands out. See our custom bulk bag options.

PET is the most widely FDA-cleared recycled plastic for direct food contact. The large majority of the recycled-plastic food-contact clearances the FDA has issued cover PET recycling processes, which is why food-grade rPET is an established choice for brands that want recycled content near food. If you handle food products and want to lower your packaging footprint, rPET is worth a conversation. Contact us to confirm the right food-contact specification for your application, and see our guide to food-grade bulk bags beyond basic FDA compliance.

rPET bulk bags start as post-consumer recycled bottles, collected from communities and then sorted, washed, and reprocessed into food-grade rPET flakes. Those flakes are spun into high-tenacity tape, woven into fabric, and cut and sewn into finsiehd FIBCs. At the end of their service life, the bags can be recycled again, making true bag-to-bag circularity possible. For qualifying programs, feedstock sourced from ocean-bound plastic collection is also available.

The rPET FIBCs we supply are produced with a globally recognized, patented recycling process. The bags and the process behind them have earned international honors, including WorldStar Global Packaging Award recognition for the world’s first fertilizer bag-to-bag recycled FIBC and for a static-protective Type D FIBC made from 100% recycled PET.

rPET is a strong fit for operations that pack outdoors, ship long distances, run hot-fill processes, or report on sustainability. Common applications include agricultural products and fertilizer, food-grade materials, chemicals, and plastics and resins.

Availability

rPET bulk bags are currently produced to order and can be stocked domestically through our managed inventory program, FlexSack-MP. Because every application is different, we’ll spec the bag to your product, dimensions, fill, volume, and equipment.

Talk to an Expert
Request a Quote

FAQs

rPET bulk bags are FIBCs made from 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate, offering a lower carbon footprint and higher performance than standard polypropylene bags.
Yes. In our manufacturing partner’s testing, rPET matched or exceeded conventional PP on UV resistance, abrasion resistance, form stability, and heat tolerance.

PET is the most widely FDA-cleared recycled plastic for food contact. Contact us to confirm the right food-contact specification for your product.

A third-party TÜV-verified life-cycle assessment found a 57% lower cradle-to-grave carbon footprint than a comparable virgin PP bag.
Yes. They can be recycled again at end of life, enabling bag-to-bag circularity.

Roughly -4°F to 284°F (-20°C to 140°C), a wider range than standard PP.